Footballer Wayne Rooney conceded he has let his family down "very badly" as he was banned from the wheel for two years after he was caught drink driving.

The former England captain apologised for an "unforgivable lack of judgment" after he was sentenced for being nearly three times the legal limit on a night out while his pregnant wife, Coleen, and their three sons were on holiday.

Rooney, 31, was driving a black Volkwagen Beetle in Wilmslow, Cheshire, belonging to lettings agent Laura Simpson when police on patrol at 2.10am on September 1 noticed a rear tail-light out on the vehicle.

The officer noted that Rooney was the driver and Ms Simpson was in the front passenger seat.

Rooney went on to give a positive roadside breath test and was then taken to a local police station where he produced a reading of 104 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath, the legal limit in England and Wales being 35 microgrammes.

On Monday, Rooney pleaded guilty at Stockport Magistrates' Court to the offence and was also ordered to perform 100 hours of unpaid work as part of a 12-month community order and pay £170 court costs.

During the hearing, which lasted less than 20 minutes, his solicitor Michael Rainford said: "What I would say, through me, Wayne Rooney wishes to express his genuine remorse for what was a terrible mistake, a terrible error of judgment on his part that evening.

"He realises he has not only let himself down very badly but his family.

"He has a wife and three young children.

"Of course he has let down the fans, the young people who look up to him."

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Mr Rainford asked District Judge John Temperley to consider not imposing a community order because of his ongoing charitable work.

However the judge said he was "not convinced" that imposing a large fine "would have the same effect".

In a statement issued to the Press Association after his plea, Rooney said: "Following today's court hearing I want publicly to apologise for my unforgivable lack of judgment in driving while over the legal limit. It was completely wrong.

"I have already said sorry to my family, my manager and chairman and everyone at Everton FC.

"Now I want to apologise to all the fans and everyone else who has followed and supported me throughout my career.

"Of course I accept the sentence of the court and hope that I can make some amends through my community service."

He has been married since 2008 to his high-school sweetheart Coleen who recently announced she is pregnant with their fourth child.